No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.

Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for Indiana monthly conference call!

The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) lobbying organization representing secular and nontheistic Americans.

Based in Washington DC, we are working to make sure that you are heard on Capitol Hill, on the federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level.

The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and nontheistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

State Government

Capital city is Indianapolis

Governor Mitch Daniels

Republican, first elected in 2004, term limited out of running for re-election

In 2012, the General Assembly was in session from January 4 through March 14

Indiana State Senate

50 senators serving 4 year terms

Republican Party holds a 37-13 majority

25 seats up for election in November

Indiana House of Representatives

100 representatives serving 2 year terms

Republican Party holds a 60-40 majority

All 100 seats up for election in November

U.S. Senate

The election will fill the seat currently held by Richard Lugar (R). First elected in 1976, Lugar ran for re-election in 2012, but lost to Richard Mourdock in the May 8 Republican primary

Polls give Mourdock a slight lead over challenger Joe Donnelly (D)

U.S. House of Representatives

Indiana's 9 seats in the U.S. house are up for election in November

Currently 6 are held by the Republican Party and 3 by the Democratic Party

Issues/Events

IN HB 1014- Would expand religious refusal laws for health care professionals.IN SB 251- Would allow the governing body of a school corporation or the equivalent authority of a charter school to provide for the recitation of the Lord's Prayer at the beginning of each school day.IN HB 1050- Would specify requirements for a health care sharing ministry and exempt the ministry from requirements.

Cannot “electioneer” – endorse or speak out against specific candidates

Indiana Lobbying Rules:

Lobbying means communicating by any means, or paying others to communicate by any means, with any legislative official with the purpose of influencing any legislative actions.

Lobbyist receives or expends an aggregate of five hundred dollars ($500) in compensation or expenditures reportable under this article for lobbying, whether the compensation or expenditure is solely for lobbying or the lobbying is incident to that individual's regular employment. (Only register if compensated)

Same Mission- to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.

Similar Purpose - accomplish its mission through cooperation between local groups and coordinated state lobbying activities.

As lobbyists we must be the diplomats of the secular movement, always act respectfully and professional

We believe secular values are American values, we are nonpartisan and want to work with everyone

Fundraising

Fundraising challenges prevent chapter growth

Secular Coalition will do all the fundraising and provide all resources the chapter needs

Donations will go to the Secular Coalition for the benefit of the state chapters

Official Chapter Recognition

Once your state chapter is organized, the executive committee and a representative of the Secular Coalition will sign a memo of understanding officially recognizing the Secular Coalition for California and giving the group access to our resources.

Leadership / Executive Committee

No set number of members or roles

Flexible to availability and strengths of individuals who want to get involved

Those who do not wish to be on the Executive Committee, but still want to play an active role and help out once there is work to be done, please email me [email protected].

Database

Sign up to receive action alerts to be part of a grassroots campaign when particular issues arise. Sign up online here.

Secular Coalition’s Support for the Chapters

Conference Calls

Initial organizing calls focus on setting up the structure, identifying leadership, discussing how the legislature in Indiana operates and the best ways to meet the needs of the Secular Coalition for Indiana

Future monthly calls will become a way to educate and inform: track legislation, coordinate lobbying efforts and coordinate secular organizations.